Floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners

ABSTRACT

A floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners has a first position for vacuuming broad floor surfaces, and a second position for vacuuming narrow floor surfaces. The floor nozzle includes a suction head that has a base area with two broad sides and two narrow sides, and a tilt joint consisting of a channel connector piece molded onto the suction head and a pivotable channel section. A pipe elbow having a curvature of essentially 90° is connected with the channel section and has a connector end for a suction pipe. The channel section is pivoted out in the first position, so that the axis of rotation of the connection between the pipe elbow and the channel section is oriented at a downward slant. In the second position, the movable channel section is pivoted into the channel connector piece so far that the axis of rotation of the connection is oriented horizontally.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners, having a first functional position for vacuuming broad floor surfaces, as well as a second functional position for vacuuming narrow floor surfaces.

2. The Prior Art

A floor nozzle having the functional properties described is shown in German Patent No. DE-C 100 17 705. The suction head of the known floor nozzle has a base area delimited by two broad sides as well as two narrow sides, which area is essentially rectangular, and can be connected to a suction pipe by means of a two-axle joint, which joint contains a suction channel. The joint is configured as a cardan joint and has a suction head connector element that is inserted into a depression of the suction head that is configured as a half shell. It is difficult to seal the parts of the cardan joint that move relative to one another.

A floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners is also described in German Patent No. DE-A 102 41 055, the suction head of which can be rotated by 90°, by means of a rotation of the connected suction pipe, so that both broad floor surfaces and narrow floor surfaces can be cleaned. A two-axle joint is disposed between the suction pipe and suction head, which joint consists of a T-shaped pipe piece and a pipe elbow that is connected with the pipe piece so as to rotate. The T-shaped pipe piece is mounted to rotate between two pipe accommodations that are disposed on the top of the suction head and are open towards the interior of the suction head. The pipe elbow has a curvature of about 90°, so that the free connector end lies in a plane that is essentially parallel to the axis of rotation when the floor nozzle is used to vacuum narrow floor surfaces.

When handling the floor nozzle, the suction head is stressed, during the forward movement, with a pushing force that is introduced by way of a suction pipe that is connected to the joint. The orientation of the suction pipe predetermines the force effect line. In the known nozzles, stress is placed on the front region of the suction head when vacuuming broad floor surfaces, and this is disadvantageous for the movement progression. In particular, it is difficult for such a suction head to move over carpet wrinkles and carpet edges.

A tilt joint for the floor nozzle of a vacuum cleaner is described in European Patent No. EP-B 1 367 931, which joint consists of a channel connector piece that is rigidly disposed on a suction head, and of a movable channel section that is inserted into the channel connector piece so as to pivot. In the case of a tilt movement, the sections perform telescoping movements towards one another. The joint axis of the tilt joint is shifted towards the rear region of the suction head, and this is advantageous for handling the floor nozzle. However, the known floor nozzle is only suitable for vacuuming broad floor surfaces. It is not possible to rotate the floor nozzle by 90° relative to the suction pipe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners, which is suitable for vacuuming both broad floor surfaces and narrow floor surfaces, e.g. niches, and adapts well to uneven areas of the floor.

This object is accomplished by a floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners, having a first functional position for vacuuming broad floor surfaces, as well as a second functional position for vacuuming narrow floor surfaces, the nozzle having:

a suction head that has a base area delimited by two broad sides as well as two narrow sides,

a tilt joint consisting of a channel connector piece molded onto the suction head, and a channel section that can be pivoted, as well as

a pipe elbow that demonstrates a curvature of about 90°, is connected with the movable channel section of the tilt joint, and has a connector end for a suction pipe.

The movable channel section is pivoted out in the first functional position, so that the axis of rotation of the rotary connection between the pipe elbow and the movable channel section is oriented at a slant downwards towards the floor surface. The movable channel section, in the second functional position, is pivoted into the channel connector piece so far that the axis of rotation of the rotary connection is oriented horizontally. In the first functional position, the broad side of the suction head is oriented essentially perpendicular to a suction pipe that is connected at the connector end of the pipe elbow. During a forward movement of the floor nozzle, a pushing force is introduced into the suction head, and the force effect line of the pushing force is displaced into the region of the floor nozzle that lies in the rear, in the pushing direction. On the broad side that lies in the front, in the pushing direction, the suction head can easily perform tilting movements, so that it is easy to pass over carpet wrinkles and carpet edges. The floor nozzle according to the invention has good sliding properties on floor surfaces. Furthermore, the device is easy to handle when vacuuming both broad floor surfaces and narrow niches.

The pivot range of the movable channel section is delimited by stops. It is practical if a stop is assigned to the second functional position.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the joint axis of the tilt joint is disposed in a region between the two broad sides of the suction head, at a distance from the broad side that lies in the rear, in the vacuuming direction. The suction head preferably has an indentation that forms a free space for the movement of the pipe elbow that is connected to the movable channel section, in its broad side that lies in the rear, in the vacuuming direction. In this connection, the joint axis of the tilt joint is preferably disposed within the indentation, in a region of the suction head that lies close to the floor. This results in a particularly good introduction of force for the pushing force.

In another embodiment, the suction head has an upper housing part and an insert connected with the upper housing part. The channel connector piece of the tilt joint consists of two parts—one part is molded onto the upper housing part, and the other part is molded onto the insert. The suction head is a plastic part. The two-part configuration of the suction head results in simplification of the injection-molding molds. It is practical if the outer surface of the channel connector piece is molded onto the upper housing part, and if the insert has a molded piece that forms a section of the inside contour that is adapted to the geometry of the movable channel section.

A slide sole can be disposed, in known manner, on the underside of the suction head. The slide sole has a suction mouth that extends all the way to the narrow sides, and which is connected with the channel connector piece, in terms of flow, by means of an opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners, in a first functional position, for vacuuming broad floor surfaces;

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the floor nozzle shown in FIG. 1, in a second functional position, for vacuuming narrow floor surfaces;

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal cross-section through the object of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the suction head of the floor nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The fundamental structure of the floor nozzle shown in the figures includes a suction head 1, which has a base area delimited by two broad sides 2 as well as two narrow sides 3, which area is essentially rectangular, as well as a tilt joint 4, which consists of a channel connector piece 5 that is molded onto the suction head 1, and a channel section 6 that can pivot. A pipe elbow 7 is connected with movable channel section 6, so as to rotate, which elbow is configured as a 90° arc in the exemplary embodiment, and has a connector end for a suction pipe 8 that is indicated with a broken line.

In a first functional position, shown in FIG. 1, the floor nozzle is used for vacuuming broad floor surfaces. In this functional position, broad sides 2 of suction head 1 are oriented essentially perpendicular to the free connector end of the pipe elbow 7 and a suction pipe 8 connected with the latter. In this first functional position, movable channel section 6 is pivoted out, so that axis of rotation 9 of the rotary connection between the pipe elbow and the movable channel section is oriented at a slant downwards to the floor surface. The force effect line of the pushing force introduced with suction pipe 8 is displaced into the rear region of the floor nozzle.

In a second functional position (FIG. 2), movable channel section 6 is pivoted into channel connector piece 5 so far that the axis of rotation 9 of the rotary connection is oriented horizontally. In this functional position, broad sides 2 of suction head 1 extend essentially in the longitudinal direction of a suction pipe 8 that is connected with the connector end of the pipe elbow 7, and the floor nozzle can be used for vacuuming narrow niches.

The pivot range of movable channel section 6 is delimited by stops, whereby a stop is assigned to the second functional position in the exemplary embodiment.

Joint axis 10 of tilt joint 4 is disposed in a region between broad sides 2 of suction head 1, at a distance from the broad side that lies in the rear, in the vacuuming direction. Suction head 1 has an indentation 11 that forms a free space for the movement of pipe elbow 7 that is connected to movable channel section 6, in its broad side that lies in the rear, in the vacuuming direction. Joint axis 10 of tilt joint 4 is disposed within indentation 11, in a region of suction head 1 that lies close to the floor.

As shown in FIG. 4, suction head 1 has an upper housing part 12 and an insert 13 connected with the upper housing part. Channel connector piece 5 of tilt joint 4 consists of two parts. The one part is molded onto upper housing part 12, and the other part is molded onto insert 13. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer surface of channel connector piece 5 is molded onto the upper housing part 12, and insert 13 has a molded piece 14 that forms a section of the inside contour that is adapted to the geometry of movable channel section 6.

Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A floor nozzle for vacuum cleaners, having a first functional position for vacuuming broad floor surfaces, as well as a second functional position for vacuuming narrow floor surfaces, the nozzle comprising: a suction head having a base area with two broad sides and two narrow sides; a tilt joint consisting of a channel connector piece molded onto the suction head, and a pivotable channel section, a pipe elbow having a curvature of about 90 connected with the channel section of the tilt joint, said pipe elbow having a connector end for a suction pipe, wherein the channel section is pivoted out in the first functional position, so that an axis of rotation of a connection between the pipe elbow and the channel section is oriented at a downward slant, and wherein the channel section, in the second functional position, is pivoted into the channel connector piece so far that the axis of rotation of the connection is oriented horizontally.
 2. A floor nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a pivot range of the movable channel section is delimited by stops, and wherein a stop is assigned to the second functional position.
 3. A floor nozzle according to claim 1, wherein a joint axis of the tilt joint is disposed in a region between the two broad sides of the suction head, at a distance from the broad side that lies in the rear, in a vacuuming direction.
 4. A floor nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the suction head has an indentation that forms a free space for movement of the pipe elbow that is connected to the channel section, said indentation being disposed in a broad side of the suction head that lies in the rear, in a vacuuming direction.
 5. A floor nozzle according to claim 4, wherein a joint axis of the tilt joint is disposed within the indentation, in a region of the suction head that lies close to the floor.
 6. A floor nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the suction head has an upper housing part and an insert connected with the upper housing part, and wherein the channel connector piece of the tilt joint consists of two parts, one part being molded onto the upper housing part, and the other part being molded onto the insert.
 7. A floor nozzle according to claim 6, wherein an outer surface of the channel connector piece is molded onto the upper housing part, and the insert has a molded piece that forms a section of an inside contour that is adapted to a geometry of the channel section.
 8. A floor nozzle according to claim 1, further comprising a slide sole disposed on an underside of the suction head, said slide sole having a suction mouth that extends all the way to the narrow sides of the suction head, wherein the suction mouth is connected with the channel connector piece, in terms of flow, by an opening. 